‘Male pattern hair loss’ may be controlled

Male pattern hair loss, the most common form of pattern baldness worldwide, may be controlled in some men.

This was the message to concerned men by ProHAIR, a recently launched hair advocacy program which aims to inform the public about male pattern hair loss (MPHL) and the facts surrounding this medical hair condition.

MPHL or androgenetic alopecia affects about five percent of men by age 20 and about 50 percent by age 40. Current studies suggest the prevalence of MPHL approaches 87 percent.

MPHL is generally influenced by heredity. A man can inherit this trait from his mother or father’s side.

If a man is genetically programmed to lose his hair and does nothing about hair loss, he has little chance of keeping his hair over the long term.

Hair loss may have other causes. These may include the stress of an illness or major surgery; medications such as chemotherapy, blood thinners, antihypertensives and antidepressants, and diseases such as hypothyroidism.

MPHL is believed to be due to the activity of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the scalp. DHT is a hormone that contributes to the shortening of the hair growth phase, as well as its thinning. This disrupts the normal hair growth cycle and leads to shedding of more hair per day than normal.

Research indicates that by reducing the amount of DHT, further hair loss can be prevented and, in some men, regrown. Scientifically proven treatments are now available and men with male pattern hair loss may prevent further progression.

The advocacy program encourages affected men to make an appointment with a doctor for a hair loss evaluation.

For more information on the ProHAIR program, call its hotline 878-6338, fax at 813-1172 or e-mail at [email protected].